LIVE: THE STADIUM TOUR – August 16, 2022

Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium

City: Indianapolis, IN

Dates: August 16, 2022

Review and Photographs by: Jeffrey Everett (http://www.jeffrey-everett.com/)

The Stadium Tour initially scheduled for the summer of 2020 is now back in full swing after more than a 2-year Covid delay. The 36-show spectacle included a stop in Indianapolis. Classless Act out of Los Angeles got to open at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon. The crowd was just making their way in as they took the stage. The band formed in 2019 had an old school rock sound. They coupled that with their youthful enthusiasm which was on overdrive from the first song. Next up was rock and roll hall of famer Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The rock icon now 63 was decked out in her trademark black. She stayed on the main stage and did not venture down the runway during her performance. They played all their hits including “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” “Bad Reputation,” “Crimson and Clover” as well as “Cherry Bomb” from her days with The Runaways. The band was spot on all set, an overall decent performance. Next up was Poison. The crowd erupted as Brett Michaels burst onto the stage opening with “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” They followed up with mega hits “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Brett did a harmonica solo and C.C. Deville did a long guitar solo. Michaels is still the quintessential showman with every bit of energy and engagement as he did back in their heyday. They ended their performance with “Nothin’ But A Goodtime” which pretty much summed up their set. Def Leppard had the next slot at 7:30 with the crowd finally filled in. Joe Elliott now with platinum grey hair strolled down the runway arms spread greeting the crowd. They opened with “Take What You Want” off their 12^th studio album Diamond Star Halos just released on 5/27. They played two more from the new album, then pretty much stuck with their classics in their 17-song set. These included “Foolin’,” “Love Bites,” “Hysteria,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Photograph.” Mid set the group came together on stage and performed a two-song acoustic version of “This Guitar” and “Two Steps Behind.” As they concluded Elliott said take care or yourselves ‘til next time, and there will be a next time! Mötley Crüe certainly had some hard to acts to follow, but that did not intimidate them one bit. After calling it quits several years ago, Vince Neal came out looking more fit and recaptured some of his vocal prowess. They opened with a tongue in cheek Breaking News Report which transitioned into “Wild Side.” Drummer Tommy Lee hasn’t seemed to age one bit and level of play remain top notch. He clearly has fully recovered from the rib injuries which hindered the early part of the tour. Bassist Nikki Sixx must have also found the fountain of youth. Their 90-minute set included “Shout at the Devil,” “Looks That Kill,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Home Sweet Home” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.” It was nice to see the group has recovered some of the magic of the early years. They ended the night with “Kickstart My Heart.”  The Stadium Tour was a 7-hour trip back memory lane with some of the 80’s most iconic rock bands. The crowd certainly got their money’s worth and everyone seemed to have a great time!

THE STADIUM TOUR DATES

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MÖTLEY CRÜE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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DEF LEPPARD LINKS:

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POISON LINKS:

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JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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